Gabriel Oprea

Romania's prime minister was slammed by opponents June 22 after requesting a month's medical leave in Turkey as prosecutors investigate him for alleged corruption.

Critics called Premier Victor Ponta a coward, saying he is using a knee operation to avoid the probe, which has plunged Romania into a political crisis.

Ponta announced on Sunday that he is asking President Klaus Iohannis for leave of "up to 45 days" as permitted by the Romanian constitution.

The leave follows surgery on Ponta's knee last week in Turkey. He left hospital on Sunday but said he needs weeks to recuperate.

Romanian Prime Minister Victor Ponta has announced he is vacating the office for some time for health reasons.

A government statement quoted by state-owned AGERPRES news agency reads that a leave of "up to 45 days" will be requested by President Klaus Iohannis in a letter.

Ponta will request that his deputy Gabriel Oprea be named as his replacement for this period.

Vice Prime Minister Gabriel Oprea met Portugal's President Anibal Cavaco Silva on Thursday, at the Victoria Palace (the Government offices); the Portuguese head of state is paying an official visit to Romania.

Portuguese President Anibal Cavaco Silva (L) and Romanian Vice PM Gabriel Oprea shake hands before official talks at Victoria Palace

The existing excellent cooperation between the Romanian Police and the Moldovan Police and the importance of data and information exchanges between them featured on the agenda of official talks between the two organisations on Wednesday in Bucharest.

A few hundred members and supporters of the People's Movement Party (PMP) asked the resignation of Prime Minister Victor Ponta on Sunday, in a protest meeting organised in front of the Government House.

Prime Minister Victor Ponta said Wednesday at the Parliament Palace in Bucharest that Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea informed him about the measures taken to clean up after recent floods in northern Romania, assuring that the Government will summon up all the necessary resources for repairing and for containing damage to less than so far.

The Heroes' Day is the national celebration honoring the memory of our forerunners who sacrificed themselves for the freedom of the Romanians and for Romania's territorial integrity, Deputy Prime Minister for National Security, Minister of Internal Affairs Gabriel Oprea said on the occasion.

Photo credit: (c) Angelo BREZOIANU / AGERPRES PHOTO

Interior Minister Gabriel Oprea on Tuesday met US charge d'affaires in Bucharest Dean Thompson to discuss the Visa Waiver programme, a bilateral agreement on crime prevention and fight as well as the Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan.

Photo credit: (c) Alex MICSIK / AGERPRES PHOTO

The wounds of war will always remind us how precious peace is, and this is exactly why we should be proud that Romania has today the most important security guarantees ever: we are part of the most important military alliance - NATO, and a member of the European Union, sharing the values of freedom, security and justice, Deputy Prime Minister for National Security, Minister of Internal Affairs